Varkala Beach: 28th To 30th of May

Varkala beach, 60 kms north of Trivandrum (Kerala), is the most beautiful beach we've seen on this trip. It is surrounded by high cliffs and trees but no roads....

The backwaters, on the way to Varkala.

Small beach, a few hundreds metres from the main one.

Sunset on Varkala cliff.

Fort Kochin: 18th To 28th of May

Kochin is a nice and quiet town on an island. We enjoyed a lot our relaxing stay there.

Fort Kochin, in Kerala, is famous for his chinese fishing nets.

We were recruited to work as extras on a Kerala movie. The shooting was on a beautiful beach on an other island.

In our set costumes!

The Katakali dance performance, traditional from Kerala. It's a mix of theatre, mime and dance performed by men in beautiful costumes and make up.

Trivandrum 1/06 To 3/07 : Tabla

Trivandrum has many local schools of music. I was very lucky to decide to call the Wren school of music when I saw the little sign in the street. It has been a fantastic experience to spent one month around the different teachers, students, tabla maker of this school and their friends and family.

Rakesh, a young tabla prodigy, has been my teacher for 5 weeks, 5 times a week at WREN School of Music and fine arts, a local charitable school. He taught me the traditionnal thalas (rythms) and notes of the Dehli Garana.

Uthaman, the Tabala maker.

We lived 2 weeks in the school and Uthaman was staying some nights as well to make tabala...

Night practice with Uthaman.

With Moses, the school director, a dedicated and generous man.

Trivandrum, 1st June - 3rd of July

Ilaria's massage training at Kerala Ayurvedic Health care

Shirodhara: medicated warm oil poured continuosly over head for 45 min.

With Miyuki and Sultana during theory class.

Graduation with Doctor J. and Doctor R.

Kovalam and nearby fishermen village with our friend Devan

In our time off, when we were not studying hard, respectively Tabala and massage, we spent 3 week ends of June in a heavenly coastal village, 30 km south of Trivandrum, and 2km from Kovalam. We were very lucky to meet Devan, the kindest Maleyalan (from Kerala) man, who hosted us in his hut located in the most peacefull place. He showed us his village and the backwaters on a boat ride, and invited us to his family place for lunches and dinners.

How lucky we have been! He made us feel very special!

The mosque in the background....

.... and few metres away, the temple.

Kerala, "God's own country"

Rope making with coconut fibres. Main activity of the women in the village.

Chai making, Kerala style, for breakfast.

And Kerala style brakfast with Appam, curry, masala egg, papadham, banana and chai (Tea). Hut service....

Boat ride on the backwaters in the morning.

Deserted island between the sea and the backwaters.

Devan's lovely family, in front of his house. This very poor family has treated us like kings!